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Toboali shrimp paste popular among tourists
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An illustration of shrimp paste. (Shutterstock/File)
T
erasi (shrimp paste) produced in Toboali, South Bangka regency, Bangka Belitung Islands province, is one of the most popular food souvenirs from the area.
Antara news agency reports that the red-colored paste comes with a pungent shrimp aroma.
Known for its high quality, Toboali’s terasi is said to be less bitter than other shrimp pastes.
Akung, a terasi seller in Pangkalpinang Morning Market, said the shrimp paste was not only popular among locals, but also among people from outside Bangka Belitung Islands.
Read also: Bangka Belitung preps tour packages for Asian Games 2018 participants
During this holiday season, both local and foreign tourists from France and Japan are said to look for the terasi to take home.
Akung said that during a normal period, he could sell between 15 and 30 kilograms per day. However, this holiday season, the shrimp paste's sales increased to between 70 and 100 kilograms per day.
Another seller Leni shared a similar experience, saying that she could sell up to 75 kilograms per day during the holiday season.
Despite its high quality, Toboali terasi is considered an affordable food souvenir with prices ranging from Rp 50,000 (US$3.68) to Rp 80,000 per kilogram. (jes/kes)
